Penn State’s 2025 campaign was filled with many highs and lows as it finished 7-10 overall, with a 2-6 record in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions placed eighth in the conference and missed the tournament for the second season in a row.
Now with the season in the past, here’s how the blue and white fared against other teams in the conference and how it matched up against last year’s squad.
The Team
It was another rough season for the Nittany Lions, finishing with their second-straight losing record. The 2024 team similarly concluded its season with a 2-6 record in the Big Ten, but had one more overall win at 8-9.
Penn State had a large hole in offense after star forward Sophia Gladieux graduated last season. The Boyertown, Pennsylvania, native poured in a team-leading 20 goals in the 2024 campaign.
Forward Sophia Gladieux (3) fights for possession during a Penn State field hockey match against Maryland at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Terrapins beat the Nittany Lions 4-2.
Jonah Richmond
For much of the 2025 season, the blue and white were searching for steady production on offense. It finished with slightly less goals with 34 compared to 36 last season. While Penn State ranked fifth in goals in the Big Ten in 2024, its offense placed third-worst in 2025.
The Nittany Lions accumulated a conference worst 19 assists, one less than last season’s total of 20. Creating good offensive looks was a problem for the blue and white again, it concluded with the same total of last season’s of 210 shots, second-worst in the Big Ten.
While offense was an issue, the team also struggled on defense for the second season in a row. Penn State surrendered the second-most goals in the Big Ten with 40, only behind Michigan State. However, the Nittany Lions allowed slightly more goals last season with 43.
The blue and white entered this season with the hopes of playing better defensively after it ranked as the worst defense in the conference last season, but it found itself second-worst in 2025.
Road woes were also a thorn throughout the season for Penn State. While there was much success in Happy Valley, with a 6-2 home record, once the Nittany Lions hit the road they struggled and concluded with a 1-8 away record. Only Michigan State had a worse road record at 0-8.
The one road victory was also an out of conference game against Lock Haven, Penn State finished winless against Big Ten opponents away from home. Similarly to this season, the 2024 squad didn’t win any conference game on the road, but still posted a better away record at 4-5.
The Players
Despite the blue and white allowing more goals this season, sophomore goalie Aby Deverka improved. In her freshman campaign, the Houston native split time in the goal post with then-senior Lauren Delgado.
Deverka started in all 17 games this season, compared to starting in five of her nine appearances in 2024. She lowered her goals-against-average from 3.17 last season to 2.23 in her second campaign.
While Deverka surrendered 40 goals in 2025, compared to 35 last season, she saved 70 shots compared to 68 a season ago.
On offense, junior midfielder and forward Natalie Freeman led the way tied with a team best seven goals and the most points with 19. The Ellicott City, Maryland, native improved significantly from her previous two seasons, after she totaled just three goals in her first two years.
Freeman also finished with a career-best five assists and ranked No. 12 overall in points in the Big Ten.
Senior midfielder and forward Ella Jennes also had a breakout year in her final season. The Aerdenhout, Netherlands, native reigned in seven goals, a stark improvement from just two goals in her previous three seasons.
Forward Ella Jennes (17) runs with the ball during the Penn State field hockey game against Indiana at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Bisons beat the Nittany Lions 3-1.
Matthew Kemper
Penn State also gained production from freshman midfielder and forward Joji Purdy. The Virginia Beach, Virginia, native left a mark in her first season with the blue and white as she totaled the second-most goals on the squad with six.
While the 2026 season is still a while away, there are many areas the Nittany Lions will need to improve in if they want to reach the postseason.
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